Adjustable bed frame



May 3, 1949- A. LORENZ 2,468,765

ADJUSTABLE BED FRAME Fi1ed oet. 11, 1944 L1 f"\ I www Z mvsmon A/ro/v LORENZ Af, ATTORNEY Patented May 3, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE BED FRAME Anton Lorenz, Buialo, N. Y.

Application October 11, 1944, Serial No. 558,241

14 Claims.

My invention relates to a bed and more particularly to an adjustable bed, wherein a seatsection and a head-section are lswingaloly mounted on Ia support, `a foot-section is pivoted to the seat-section, and a controlling mechanism is arranged for controlling the movements of the footsection during a swinging movement of the seatsection. i

An object of my invention is to provide a bed of abovedescribed type, wherein the controlling mechanism of the footsection causes a decrease of the angle between the foot-section and the seat-section when the seat-section is moved into an inclined position.

Another object of my invention is to provide an adjustable bed wherein the seat-section, headsection and foot-secton are movable relative to each other.

A further object of my invention is to provide an adjustable bed of above-described type, wherein the foot-section is moved through planes parallel to each other when the seat-section is swung about its axis.

Still another object of my invention is to pro vide an adjustable bed of above described type, wherein the movements of the foot-section are controlled by a mechanism causing a decrease of the angle between the foot-section and the seat-section during a tilting of the latter and wherein the angle between the foot-section and the seat-section may be adjusted at will.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a bed including a rst end portion or head section, a center portion or seat-section, and a second end portion or foot-section, which may be brought into many diierent positions relative to each other so as to give the person resting thereon the most comfortable support.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of various devices, elements and parts as set forth in the claims hereof, certain embodiments of the same being described in the specification and being illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an adjustable bed according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary somewhat schematical side elevational View of a portion of the bed shown in Fig. 1, wherein a. locking device is arranged between the support and the seat-section for locking the movable members in a predetermined position, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

510 generally indicates the supporter frame of the bed which rests on legs 5I2, 5H and includes end portions 513,l 515. In normal use of the bed, a head-section 5|8, a central seat-Section '520 and a foot-section 542 are in the horizontal position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 so that a mattress 516 or the like may be placed on these members. The mattress may be made of a. single piece or may consist of three individual pieces. The sections 518, I520, 542 rest in this horizontal position on longitudinal rods or side rails 5H or the like of the support 5I0. The head-section 518 is pivotally connected with the central seatsection 520 and the longitudinal rod or rail y5H of the support 5l0 at 522. The foot-section 542 is pivotally connected with the central seat-section 520 at 544. Thus, the sections 5|8, 520, 542 form an articulated bed-bottom. The upper end of a iirst connecting link 526 is pivotally connected at 532 with the end of the central seatsection 5251 adjacent the foot-section 542, the lower end of said first connecting link is pivotally connected with one end of a second or lower connecting link 524 at 528. The other end of said lower connecting link 524 may be connected with the lower extension 512 of the head-section 5 l 8; however, in normal use of the bed, the headsection 5|8 and extension 512 are in the full line position shown in Fig. 1 wherein the connecting link 524 is not connected with said extension 512. The lower end of a guiding link 536 is pivotally connected with an intermediate point of the lower connecting link 524 at the point 540 spaced from the pivotal connection 528 between the connecting links 524 and 525, and the upper end of said guiding link 535 is connected with the Vsup-v port at 538 above the plane of the lower connecting link 524. One end of a telescopic controlling link 548 is pivotally connected with the support at 538, the other end of said telescopic controlling link is pivotally connected with a lug 552 of the foot-section 542 at 550. When the controlling link 548 is pivoted to the lug u as shown in Fig. l, the central seat-section 520, the portion of the foot-section 542 between the pivots 544 and 551i, the controlling link 548 and the portion of the support between the Apivots 538 and 522 form a four-sided link-system in the shape of a parallelogram, so that the foot-section .542 is moved through planes parallel to each other when the central seat-section is swung about its pivot 522.

Said controlling link 548 thus serves to control the movements of the foot-section 542 in such a manner, that the angle between the foot-v section 542 and the seat-section 520 is decreased when the seat-section is moved from its substan' tially horizontal position, shown in full lines into a rearwardly inclined position 52B' shown in dash and dot lines, so that the foot-section reaches the position 542'. 1

If it is desired to support the back of a person in a more or less upright position while the legs rest in a substantially horizontal position, the head-section I 8 is swung about the pivot 522 into the position 5I8, wherein its extension 512 being now in the position 512 may be connected with the lower connecting link 524 by means of a pin or bolt 530 or the like, which may be inserted into holes of the lower connecting link and extension being in register with each other.

When the extension 512 of the head-section 5|8 is connected with the lower connecting link, a polygonal compound linkage is formed, which comprises four movable links 528, 526, 524, 512 and one stationary link formed by the portion of the sup-port between the pivots 522 and 538. When the head-section is swung downwardly about its pivot '522 from the position 5I8" into the position 5|8', the central seat-section is automatically swung upwardly about its pivot 522 from the position 526 into the position 520'; furthermore, the foot-section is brought from the horizontal position 542 into the higher horizontal position 542. Fig. 1 does not show a locking device, but it is understood, that the sections 5|8, 520, 542 may be held in such a zig-zag position by means of a locking device locking the central seat-section 526 relative to the stationary rod or side rail 5I I, for example by means of the locking device shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and described in detail at a later point of this specilication.

Of course, if the central-seat section 520 is held in an inclined position, such as for example the position 526', by means of a locking device as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 or by means of any other suitable locking device, the head-section 5I8 may be again disengaged from the connecting link 524 and may be returned into the horizontal position 5|8, wherein it is held by the longitudinal rod 5I| of the support 5|6. After such an adjustment of the sections of the articulated bed bottom, the head-section is in the full line position 5|8, the central seat-section is in the dash and dot line position 526' and the foot-section is in the dash and dot line position 542.

Furthermore, if the central seat-section is locked in the inclined position 520', the set screw 554 of the telescopicv controlling link 548 may be loosened, whereupon the said link may be extended and the foot-section may be swung from the position 542 into a position at a diierent angle to the central seat-section, for example, into the position 542, which is in alignment with the central seat-section when the latter is in the inclined position 526'. The foot-section may be held in said position 542" by tightening the set screw 554 of the telescopic controlling link 548.

Moreover, the bed is equipped with several series of holes 568, which are arranged on the extension 512, the lower connecting link 524, the rst connecting link 526, thecentral seat-Section 520, and the guiding link 556; furthermore, several lugs 516 are arranged on the foot-section 542 of the bed bottom. As will be readily understood, the relative position between the pivotal connections of the sections of the articulated bed bottom may further be varied and adjusted by means of said series of holes and lugs.

As will be apparent from above, the bed permits a universal use for all positions desired or required for a person resting therein. This notwithstanding, the bed is of comparatively simple construction and may be manufactured at low costs.

Fig. 2 illustrates a diierent embodiment of the 4 invention wherein another form of central seatsection is employed. The bed sho-wn in Fig. 2 is supported, like the bed of the previously desc-ribed embodiment, by a conventional frame or support which is generallyjldesignated 6| Il and which includes longitudinal rods or side walls 6I I. According to the invention of this embodiment, the central seat-section comprises a stationary seat-member 62D and a movable seatmember 62|. The stationary seat-member 62|) is provided with extensions 623 by which it is rigidly secured to the longitudinal rods 6| I. The two seat-sections are pivoted together at 625. The head-section 6 I8 of the bed is pivoted to the stationary seat-section625 at 622. The footsection 642 is linked to the movable seat-section 62| at 644. The rst connecting linkV 626 is pivoted to the movable seat-member 62| atl 632. At its other end the rst connecting link is pivoted at 628 to a lower connecting link 6.24. The headsection GIB has an extension 612 which may be connected to the lower. connecting link 624 at 636. The latter vconnection is adapted to be disengaged.' A guiding link 666 is pivoted with one one,'i. e., at the point 636 to the longitudinal rod 5|| and with the other end, i. e., at the point 640 to the lower connecting link, 624. The latter link has a plurality of apertures 668 which permit modifications at the point of connection between the said link and the extension 612 of the back-rest and, furthermore, between said link and the guiding link 636. A controlling link 648 which comprises two telescoping sections is secured to the support coaxially with the guiding link, i. e., at 638 and has its other end pivotally connected to a lug 652. A second lug 610 and set screw 654 permit adjustments of the maximum length to which the controlling link may be extended.

Thus, when the lower connecting link 624 and the extension of the head-section 612 are connected, the head-section extension 612, the lower connecting link 624, the first connecting link 626 and the two seat-portions 620 and 62| form a constrained kinematic polygonal link-system in the shape of a quinquelateral link-system having one stationary link, i. e., the stationary seat-portion 620.

The bed constituted by this embodiment may be used in substantially the same manner as described above in connection withl Fig. l. As will be easily understood, the head-section 6|8, the movable seat portion 62| of the central seat-section and the foot-section 642 may be brought into various positions relative to each other, while the .stationary seat-member 620 remains in the horizontal. position for the support of the buttocks of the person resting in the bed. When it is desired to have a substantially horizontal bed, the extension 612 of the head-section 6|8 is disconnected from the lower connecting link 624 and the bed can then be put in the position shown'in full lines in Fig. 2. Avmattress 6.16 may then be placed lon the bed. If it is desired to vlet the person sit up in the bed with legs stretched out, the head-section is swung into the position BIB. For other positions, the extension 612 may then be connected with the lower connecting link 624. Thus, the linkage may be operated to place the headsection in position 6 I8', the Amovable seat portion in position 62| and the foot-section inl position 642 while the seat-portion ,628 remains stationary at all times.

Figs. 3 and 4il1ustrate a type of locking means applied to the bed shown in Fig. 1. A bar 518 having a slot 580 is swingably mounted on the seat-section 528 at 582. A bolt 584 having a square portion 586 is inserted into a corresponding square aperture of the bed frame 5| l, so that this bolt is prevented from rotating. The end of said bolt 584 projecting from said bed frame 5H passes through the slot 588 of the bar 518 and is provided with a threaded portion. A locking knob 588 is screwed on said threaded portion of said bolt 584. If the locking knob 588 is loosened, the bar 518 may be freely moved, so that the seatsection 528 and, of course, the other members of the polygonal structure 5|8, 528, 526, 524, 512 of the bed shown in Fig. l may be brought into any desired position. If, however, the locking knob 588 is tightened, so that it clamps the bar 518 against the bed frame 5H, the seat-section is rmly held in its position, for example in the rearwardly inclined position 528'. If none of the pivotal connections of the polygonal structure is disengaged, all members of the polygonal structure are likewise firmly held in their positions when the locking knob 588 is tightened.

As will be readily understood from above, the locking means shown in Figs. 3 and 4 are capable of locking the seat-section 528 in any desired position relative to the bed frame. Therefore, this type of locking means may also be effective, if one or more of the pivotal connections 530, 528, 532 of the polygonal structure 5|8, 528, 526, 524, 512 shown in Fig. 1 are disengaged. Consequently, if a bed of the type shown in Fig. 1 is equipped with locking means shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the pivotal connection 53D, 528 and/or 532 may be disengaged for swinging the head-section back into the substantially horizontal position 5I8" When the seat-section is locked in a rearwardly inclined position 520 and the foot-section is in a horizontal position 542 or in an inclined position, for example, the position 542". Thus, the movable members of a bed according to this invention may be readily adjusted in any position relative to each other, which might be the most comfortable to the occupant of the bed or which might be required for the treatment of a sickness.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is understood, that numerous changes or omissions may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

For example, the controlling link may be pivoted to the support or bed frame at a point which does not coincide with the pivotal connection between the guiding link and the bed frame.

What I claim is:

l. A bed unit, comprising: a support including longitudinal rails, a head-section, a central seatsection, a foot-section, said head-section being pivoted to one end of said central seat-section, said foot section being connected with the other end of said central seat section, said head-section, central seat-section and foot-section forming a bed-bottom normally resting on said longitudinal rails in a substantially horizontal position with the sections substantially in alignment with each other, at least one section of said pivotal joined head-section and centra1 seat-section being pivotally mounted on said support, an extension arranged on said head-section, said extension projecting from said head-section beyond its pivotal connection with the central seat-section,` a pair of connecting links including a rst connecting link and a second lower connecting link arranged below the plane of said central seat-section, the upper end of said rst connecting link being pivoted to the end portion of said central seat-section adjoining the foot-section, the lower end of Said rst connecting link being pivoted to one end of said lower connecting link, a guiding link, the upper end of said guiding link being pivoted to said support at a point above the plane of said lower connecting link, the lower end of said guiding link being pivoted to a connecting link of said pair of connecting links, the other end of said lower connecting link being arranged for engagement with said extension of the headsection when the latter is swung into an elevated position, and means for a temporary pivotal connection between said other end of the lower connecting link and said extension of the head-section whereby said pivotally interconnected extension of the head-section, central seat-section and pair of connecting links form a four-sided link-system of a polygonal linkage for an automatic lifting of the end portion of the central seat-section, adjoining the foot-section in dependance on a downward movement of the hea-dsection from its elevated position.

2. In a bed unit as claimed in claim 1, means whereby the position of the pivotal connections between two adjacent links of the polygonal linkage may be adjusted.

3. In a bed unit as claimed in claim 1, locking means associated with the support and a movable member of the bed unit for locking said movable member in a predetermined position relative to the support.

4. In a bed unit as claimed in claim 1, the pivotal mounting of said pivotally joined headsection and central seat-section on the support being coaxial with the pivotal connection between said head-section and said central seat-section.

5. A bed unit, comprising: a support including longitudinal rails, a head-section, a central seatsection comprising a stationary portion and a portion movable relative thereto, a foot-section, said stationary seat-portion being rigidly maintained on said support, said head-section being pivoted to one end of the stationary portion of said central seat-section, said foot section being connected to one end of the movable portion of said central seat-section, said head-section, central seat-section and foot-section forming an articulated bed-bottom normally resting on said longitudinal rails in a substantially horizontal position with the sections substantially in alignment with each other, an extension arranged on said head-section, said extension projecting fromI said head-section beyond its pivotal connection with the central seat-section, a pair of connecting links including a iirst connecting link and a second lower connecting link normally arranged below the plane of said central seat-section, the upper end of said first connecting link being pivoted to the end portion of said movable seat portion adjoining the foot-section, the lower end of said first connecting link being pivoted to one end of said lower connecting link, a guiding link, the upper end of said guiding link being pivoted to said support at a point above the plane of said lower connecting link, the lower end of said guiding link being pivoted to a connecting link of said pair of connecting links, the other end of said lower connecting link being arranged for engagement with said extension of the head-section when the latter is swung into an elevated position,and means for a temporary pivotal connection between said other end of the lower connecting link and said extension of the head-section.

6.- A bed unit, comprising: a support including longitudinal rails, a head-section, a central seat- 7. section comprising a 'stationary portion "and a portion movable relative thereto, a foot-section, said stationaryseat portion being rigidly maintained on said support, said head-section being pivoted to one end of the stationary portion of said central seat-section, said foot-section being pivoted to one end of the movable portion of said central seat-section, said head-section, central seat-'section and foot-section forming an articulated bed-bottom normally resting on said longitudinal rails in a substantially horizontal position with the sections substantially in alignment with each other, an extension arranged on said head-section, said extension projecting from said head-section beyond its pivotal connection with the central seat-section, a pair l of connecting links including a rst connecting link and a second lower connecting link normally arranged below the plane of said central seat-section, the upper end of said first connecting link being pivoted to the end portion of said movable seatportion adjoining the foot-section, the lower end of said first connecting link being pivoted to one end of said lower connecting link, a guiding link, the upper end of said guiding link being pivoted to said support at a point'above the plane of said lower connecting link, the lower end of said guiding link being pivoted to a connecting link of said pair of connecting links, the other end of said lower connecting link being arranged for engagement with said extension of the head-section when the latter is swung into an elevated position, and means for a temporary pivotal connection between said other end of the lower connecting link and said extension of the head-section, and a controlling link, one end of said controlling link being pivoted to said support, and the other end of said controlling link being pivoted to said foot-section.

7. A bed unit, comprising: a support including longitudinal rails, a head-section, a central seatsection, a foot-section, said head-section being pivoted to one end of said central seat-section, said foot-section being pivoted to the other end of said central seat-section, said head-section, central seat-section and foot-section forming an articulated bed-bottom normally resting on said longitudinal rails in a substantially horizontal position with the sections substantially in alignment with each other, at least one section of said pivotally joined head-section and central seat-section being pivotally mounted on said support, an extension arranged on said headsection, said extension projecting from said headsection beyond its pivotal connection with the central seat-section, a pair of connecting links including a rst connecting link and a second lower connecting link arranged below the plane of said central seat-section, the upper end of said first connecting link being pivoted to the end portion of said central seat-section adjoining the foot-section, the lower end of said rst connecting link being pivoted to one end of said lower connecting link, a guiding link, the upper end of said guiding link being pivoted to said support at a point above the plane of said lower connecting link, the lower end of said guiding link being pivoted to a connecting link of said pair `of connecting links, the other end of said lower connecting link being arranged for engagement with said extension of the head-section when the latter is swung into an elevated position, means for a temporary pivotal connection between said other end of the lower connesting "link and said extension of the headsection whereby said pivotally interconnected extension of the head-section, central seat-section and pair of connecting links form a four-sided link-system of a polygonal linkage for an automatic lifting ofthe end portion of the central seat-section adjoining the foot-section in dependence on a downward movement of the headsection from its elevated position, and a controlling link, one end of said controlling link being pivoted to said support, and the other end of said controlling link being pivoted to said foot-section.

8. In a bed unit as claimed in claim 7, said central seat-section being pivoted to the support, and the link-system formed by the central seatsection, the foot-section, the controlling link and the portion of the support between its pivotal connections with the controlling link and with the central seat-section being in the shape of a parallelogram for moving the foot-section through planes parallel to each other.

9. In a bed unit as claimed in claim 7, means whereby the effective length of the controlling link may be varied and adjusted.

i 10. In a bed unit as claimed in claim 7, said controlling link being of variable length, and means whereby the length of said controlling link may be adjusted.

11. In a bed unit as claimed in claim 7, the pivotal connection between the controlling link and the support being coaxial with the pivotal connection between the upper end of the guiding link and the support.

. 12. In a bed unit as claimed in claim 7, means whereby the position of the pivotal connections between two adjacent links of the polygonal linkage may be adjusted.

13.v In a bed unit as claimed in claim 7, locking means associated with the support and a movable member of the bed-unit for locking said movable member in a predetermined position relative to the support.

14. In a bed unit as claimed in claim 7, the pivotal mounting of said pivotally joined headsection and central seat-section on the support being coaxial with the pivotal connection between said head-section and said central seatsection.

ANTON LORENZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le oi this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Armstrong July 15, 1873 Bohsert May 27, 1879 Pynchon Dec. 13, 1887 Pynchon Oct. 18, 1892 Harvey Feb. 14, 1905 Christensen Mar. 26, 1940 Number FOREIGN PATENTS Number Luckhardt et al. Jan. 7, 1941 

